friend shocked at me being content with pay rise?

[whatlowhere]

I’ve reached the peak of my earning capacity unless I go for the next promotion. I got a promotion I was pleased with and dont want to progress further as the next job up is just too much, too time consuming etc. It just isn’t what i want.

My pay went up to 70k. I’m 35. My close friend asked what pay I had gone up to. I stupidly told her. I felt on the spot and we talk about most things. Her response was ‘so still got quite a way to go to be earning the big bucks? Must be frustrating now you’re mid 30s.’

I know rationally that what she thinks doesn’t matter. And I also know I have enough money. I don’t live with DP but he earns similar and neither of us have ever had cause to worry about money.

But now I feel like maybe I am deluded? Should I be expecting more? I work long hours but to be honest I felt this was good pay for my age. I confided in another friend and she said I will soon realise 70k isn’t much and wish I had worked harder...am I missing something?

I live in Leeds so hardly anywhere expensive. They both live in northern cities too.

You have weird friends.

Is this a joke/stealth boast type thing?

You obviously know 70k is a great wage, and you live somewhere really affordable, so you just have loads of spare cash. What exactly do you want people to say

Find some different friends - ones who value happiness and who know that money isn't everything.

I earn 14k because I can’t work FT. I’m 44.

You are doing great. Don't ever discuss your pay with anyone apart from a partner. (Unless you are genuinely asking advice from a trusted confident). Remember that you could chase money forever, or you could be content with life and enjoy what you have.

Yep your friend is strange.
70k is an excellent wage regardless of age.

What Smidge said

Eh?
What a joke.

No not at all a stealth boast! As I said in my post, I know it is enough money.

I guess I’m questioning myself now, am I being a fool for not progressing further? Will 70k seem far less in ten years etc etc.

Sorry I didn’t mean it to come across as a boast at all.

Don’t be so ridiculous, is this a joke or was your friend being sarcastic? You know fully well £70k is a great wage, and I quite fail to believe this conversation actually happened.

Well I'm 38, earn £43k and I'm a senior academic at a university....,. Some sectors just don't pay that much!!

If this is in fact real, the only thing you should be questioning is your choice of friends.

Their points are that staying on that always will become minimal eventually.

I did not mean to offend anyone.

Well it’s odd. Because presumably you have a good level of intelligence to be earning well, yet you actually have to question if 70k is a good enough wage at your age and with no dependants? Presumably you are aware of what the average U.K. wage is?

Anyway, this is your first post, which is interesting.

I’ve clearly expressed this wrongly, I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean to offend anyone or come across as boasting.

How bizarre

@SmidgenofaPigeon

Is this a joke/stealth boast type thing?

You obviously know 70k is a great wage, and you live somewhere really affordable, so you just have loads of spare cash. What exactly do you want people to say

This.

I find it astonishing that you told two friends about a pay rise and they both say the same thing about you not earning very much.

Strange.

Your friend is jealous.

Anyway, this is your first post, which is interesting.

Ah, that all makes more sense then, nice try OP

pfffttt....

Maybe friend is Jell & was being sarky.

Your friends don't seem very nice.

There is always one thread that comes up now and again where I think get a grip!!

Your first friend sounds like she was being sarcastic.
In addition, your pay may well go up anyway in future, even if you stay at the same level, with possible rises for inflation or if your employer needs to pay competitive wages in your sector to attract and keep employees.

If you belong to a union, it may well be able to negotiate base level rises too.

@SmidgenofaPigeon

Well it’s odd. Because presumably you have a good level of intelligence to be earning well, yet you actually have to question if 70k is a good enough wage at your age and with no dependants? Presumably you are aware of what the average U.K. wage is?

Anyway, this is your first post, which is interesting.

I was just thinking that the OP isnt paid for her/brains eh?